Method of executing fast association function of camera and portable device including the same

ABSTRACT

A portable device and a method of executing the fast association function of a camera are provided. The method includes activating the camera, capturing a gathering image using the camera, activating a user function registered as an associated function of the camera when the gathering image is captured, and performing the registered user function based on the gathering image.

PRIORITY

This application is a continuation application of prior application Ser.No. 13/248,267, filed on Sep. 29, 2011, and claimed the benefit under 35U.S.C. §119(a) of a Korean patent application filed on Oct. 13, 2010 inthe Korean Intellectual Property Office and assigned Serial No.10-2010-0099749, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporatedby reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a portable device. More particularly,the present invention relates to a method of executing the fastassociation function of a camera and a portable device including thesame, in which a user function supported by the portable device can beexecuted more rapidly and conveniently according to a gathering imagecaptured by the camera of the portable device.

2. Description of the Related Art

A portable device is a device supporting a variety of user functions andis widely used because of its convenience and portability. Variousmodules for supporting the user functions are included in the portabledevice. For example, a music player module for playing music files and acamera module for an image gathering function may be included in theportable device. A camera module is included on many portable devicescurrently available.

Portable devices having a camera module support a preview function foroutputting an image, gathered through the camera module, to a displayunit, and a storage function for storing the gathering image at therequest of a user. The camera function of the portable device, however,supports only a function of automatically storing a captured image withalmost no function used by a user or only a function of enabling a userto store a captured image or to cancel the storage of the capturedimage. In order to utilize the various user functions of the portabledevice in association with a captured image, the user must store thecaptured image, search for a folder in which the captured image isstored, and select the stored image in the relevant folder. Accordingly,there are problems in that a function related to the camera is rarelyused and it is inconvenient to use these related functions.

Portable devices providing a wider display unit than conventionalportable devices, such as portable devices (e.g., smart phones andtablets such as the Galaxy Tab produced by Samsung Electronics Co.,Ltd.), are on the market. Accordingly, there is an urgent need for thedevelopment of more user-friendly and useful functions by utilizing thewider display unit and the camera function.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention are to address at least theabove-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at leastthe advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the presentinvention is to provide a method of executing the fast associationfunction of a camera and a portable device including the same, in whichthe user functions of the portable device can be utilized rapidly andconveniently on the basis of an image captured by the camera.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a method ofexecuting the fast association function of a camera is provided. Themethod includes activating the camera, capturing a gathering image usingthe camera, activating a user function registered as an associatedfunction of the camera when the gathering image is captured, andperforming the registered user function based on the gathering image.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a portabledevice supporting the execution of the fast association function of acamera is provided. The portable device includes the camera forcapturing an image and providing a gathering image, a controller foractivating a user function registered as an associated function of thecamera when the camera captures the gathering image, and for performingthe activated user function based on the gathering image, and a displaypanel for displaying the gathering image.

Performing the registered user function may include, if the registereduser function is a photo transfer function, automatically activating aradio frequency unit when the camera captures the gathering image anddisplaying a screen for sending the gathering image to other portabledevices on the display panel.

Performing the registered user function may include, if the registereduser function is a photo classification function, automaticallydisplaying a menu, including a plurality of folders for classifyingphotos, on the display panel when the gathering image is captured, andmoving the gathering image to a specific folder when an input signal fordesignating the gathering image in the specific folder is generated.

Performing the registered user function may include, if the registereduser function is a phonebook association function, automaticallydisplaying a menu, including at least one folder included in aphonebook, when the gathering image is captured, displaying phonebookitems, included in a specific folder, on the display panel along withthe gathering image when an input signal for designating the gatheringimage in the specific folder is generated, and designating the gatheringimage as a representative image of a specific phonebook item when aninput signal for designating the gathering image as the specificphonebook item is generated.

Performing the registered user function may include, if the registereduser function is a gathering image display function, resizing thegathering image to a preset size, to display the resized gathering imagein a screen, and displaying the resized gathering image as a wallpaperof a specific screen when a specific input signal is generated.

Performing the registered user function may include, if the registereduser function is an icon association function, resizing the gatheringimage to a preset size when a specific input signal is generated afterthe gathering image is captured and simultaneously displaying a screen,including at least one icon, on the display panel, and to registeringthe resized gathering image as an image of a relevant icon when an inputsignal for designating the resized gathering image in a specific icon isgenerated.

In accordance with the method of executing the fast association functionof a camera and the portable device including the method according tothe exemplary embodiments of the present invention, aspects of thepresent invention provide that an image captured by the camera isoperated in conjunction with a user function of the portable devicethrough a simple control operation.

Furthermore, aspects of the present invention provide convenient, rapidprocessing and operation of an image related to a user function of theportable device via the camera function.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings,discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certainexemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparentfrom the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of aportable device according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of executing a fastassociation function of a camera according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary diagram of a screen for illustrating a photoclassification function while a fast association function of a camera isoperated according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary diagram of a screen for illustrating a phonebookassociation function while a fast association function of a camera isoperated according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary diagram of a screen for illustrating an imagedisplay function while a fast association function of a camera isoperated according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an exemplary diagram of a screen for illustrating a menuscaling function while a fast association function of a camera isoperated according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;and

FIG. 7 is an exemplary diagram of a screen for illustrating an iconassociation function while a fast association function of a camera isoperated according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbersare used to depict the same or similar elements, features, andstructures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings isprovided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplaryembodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and theirequivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in thatunderstanding, but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatvarious changes and modifications of the embodiments described hereincan be made without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions andconstructions may be omitted to for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are notlimited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by theinventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of theinvention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in theart that the following description of exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention is provided for illustration purpose only and not forthe purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claimsand their equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes referenceto one or more of such surfaces.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a portabledevice according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the portable device 100 includes a radio frequencyunit 110, an input unit 120, an audio processing unit 130, a touchscreen 140, a memory unit 150, a camera 170, and a controller 160.

The portable device 100 supports previously registered user functionswhen an image is captured by the camera 170 so that the user functionsmay be executed rapidly. The portable device 100 may provide a functionsetting screen for setting a user function to be associated with thecamera 170. If an image is captured by the camera 170, the portabledevice 100 may support a user function associated with a gathering imageso that the user function can be rapidly executed. Each of the elementsof the portable device 100 is described below.

The radio frequency unit 110 forms a communication channel with a basestation for data communication and voice communication with otherportable devices. The radio frequency unit 110 may include a radiofrequency transmitter for performing up-conversion and amplification forthe frequency of a transmitted signal, a radio frequency receiver forperforming low-noise amplification and down-conversion for the frequencyof a received signal, and the like.

The radio frequency unit 110 may be automatically activated when thefast association function of the camera is set and may send a gatheringimage, captured by the camera 170, to another portable device having anentered telephone number under the control of the controller 160. Whenthe user sets a photo transfer function as the fast association functionof the camera and photographs an image using the camera 170, theportable device 100 may output a screen (e.g., a telephone number entryscreen) in which the user may input a command to send the capturedgathering image to another portable device. When the user enters aspecific telephone number, the radio frequency unit 110 may send agathering image captured by the camera 170 to another portable devicespecified by the telephone number. The radio frequency unit 110 may beomitted if the portable device 100 does not support a mobilecommunication function.

The input unit 120 may include a number of input keys and function keysfor receiving number or character information and for setting variousfunctions. The function keys may include direction keys set to performspecific functions, side keys, hot keys, and the like. The input unit120 may generate a key input signal related to the control of a functionof the portable device 100 and send the generated key input signal tothe controller 160.

The input unit 120 may generate various input signals for controllingthe camera 170 according to user input. Based on the user's input, theinput unit 120 may generate an input signal for registering a specificuser function as the fast association function execution list of thecamera, an input signal for activating the camera 170, an input signalfor capturing an image based on the camera 170, an input signal forcontrolling the activation of a user function registered as anassociation function on the basis of a captured image, and the like. Theinput unit 120 may transfer the generated input signals to thecontroller 160.

The audio processing unit 130 outputs an audio signal, received throughthe radio frequency unit 110, or an audio signal generated when audiofiles stored in the memory unit 150 are played to a speaker SPK. Theaudio processing unit 130 also sends an audio signal, such as voicereceived from a microphone MIC, through the radio frequency unit 110under the control of the controller 160. When a recording function isactivated in a process of activating the camera 170, the audioprocessing unit 130 receives surrounding audio signals from themicrophone MIC. The audio processing unit 130 may output a descriptionof a user function, registered as the fast association function of thecamera, as voice guidance according to a setting state. The output ofthe voice guidance may be omitted according to a setting of the portableterminal.

The touch screen 140 includes a display panel and a touch panel disposedon the display panel. The display panel displays various menu screensprovided by the portable device 100, user data inputted by a user,function setting information, and information to be provided to theuser, and the like. The touch screen 140 may be formed of a flat displaydevice formed on the basis of thin film transistors, such as a LiquidCrystal Display (LCD) and Organic Light Emitted Diodes (OLED). The touchscreen 140 may support an input function capable of generating specificinput signals on the basis of the touch panel.

The touch screen 140 may output a variety of screens according to theexecution of the fast association function of the camera according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. For example, the touchscreen 140 may output a photo classification function support screen, alink function support screen, an image association function supportscreen, an image change function support screen, and the like. The photoclassification function support screen enables the user to rapidlydesignate an image captured by the camera 170. The link function supportscreen enables the user to link an image, captured by the camera 170, toa previously stored item. The image association function support screenenables the user to associate an image, captured by the camera 170, withthe image output function of the portable device 100. The image changefunction support screen enables the user to change an image, such as amenu, into an image captured by the camera 170. Each of the functionsupport screens is described below with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7.

The memory unit 150 may store programs used to operate the functions ofthe portable device 100, data inputted through the input unit 120, datatransmitted by other portable devices, images gathered by the camera170, etc. The memory unit 150 may include a program region and a dataregion.

The program region may store an Operating System (OS) for controllingthe operations of the portable device 100, application programs used toplay multimedia content, and the like. The program region may store thefast association function operation program 151 of the camera 170 andthe fast association function setting operation program of the camera170 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The fast association function operation program 151 of the camera 170 isa program for immediately executing a gathering image, captured by thecamera 170, in association with a specific user function. The fastassociation function operation program 151 of the camera 170 is loadedinto the controller 160 when the camera 170 is activated and set toexecute the fast association function of the camera according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The fast association function operation program 151 of the camera 170may include a routine for identifying a user function registered as anassociation function when the camera 170 is activated; a functionactivation routine for gathering an image of a subject when a shutterkey for the image gathering of the camera 170 is entered, outputting thegathering image to the touch screen 140, and activating the registereduser function as the fast association function of the camera; and afunction application routine for applying the gathering image to arelevant association function in response to an input signal receivedthrough the input unit 120 or the touch screen 140. The functionactivation routine may adjust the size of the gathering image in orderto output a menu, corresponding to the association function, to thetouch screen 140. For example, when the camera 170 photographs an image,the function activation routine may output the captured gathering imageto the entire screen for a certain period of time, adjust the size ofthe gathering image after a lapse of some time, place the adjusted imagein a specific portion of the screen, and output a menu, corresponding tothe association function, to one side of the screen. The function ofoutputting the captured gathering image for a certain period of time maybe changed into the time when a specific input signal is inputtedthrough the input unit 120.

The fast association function setting operation program of the camera170 is a program for setting an association function registered as theexecution of the fast association function of the camera. The fastassociation function setting operation program of the camera 170 mayinclude a routine for allocating an icon or hot key for outputting anassociation function setting screen, a routine for outputting theassociation function setting screen to the touch screen 140 when theicon or hot key is activated, and a routine for registering anassociation function, designated by the input unit 120 and the touchscreen 140, as the fast association function of the camera 170.

The data region is a region in which data generated when the portabledevice 100 is used is stored. The data region may store a phonebook,audio data, relevant content, information corresponding to user data,and the like. The data region may store images gathered by the camera170. The data region may also store a user function list registered asthe fast association function of the camera 170, information in whichgathering images are linked to each association function and so on.

The camera 170 captures an image of a subject and provides the capturedand gathering image. The camera 170 may be activated in response to asignal generated from the input unit 120 or the touch screen 140 andconfigured to gather the image. The camera 170 may include a camerasensor, an image signal processor, and a Digital Signal Processor (DSP).The camera sensor converts an optical signal into an electrical signal.The image signal processor converts an analog video signal into adigital video signal. The DSP performs image processing (e.g., scaling,noise cancellation, conversion into a Red Green Blue (RGB) signal, etc.)for a video signal outputted from the image signal processor in order todisplay the video signal on the touch screen 160. The camera sensor mayinclude a Charge-coupled Device (CCD) sensor, a ComplementaryMetal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) sensor, or the like. The camera 170 maymaintain the output of a captured image for a certain period of timeunder the control of the controller 160 so that the camera 170 can beoperated in conjunction with a specific user function of the portabledevice 100 in the activation process.

The controller 160 controls the general operation of the portable device100, the flow of signals between the internal blocks, a data processingfunction, and the like. The controller 160 activates the camera 170 inresponse to a signal generated from the input unit 120 and the touchscreen 140, and activates a user function registered as the fastassociation function of the camera when the camera 170 gathers an imageso that the gathering image may be operated in conjunction with theregistered user function. The controller 160 outputs a menu foroperating a user function, registered as the fast association functionof the camera 170, to the display panel on which a gathering image isoutputted automatically or according to a user input when the camera 170gathers the image. The controller 160 may apply the gathering image tothe function of a selected menu item in response to an input signal sothat a task supported by a relevant association function can beperformed. The process of activating and applying the associationfunctions under the control of the controller 160 is described belowwith reference to exemplary screens.

As described above, the portable device 100 according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention may perform a previously registereduser function in association with an image gathered by the camera 170rapidly and conveniently. Accordingly, the portable device 100 maysupport not only the function of storing images captured by the camera170, but also functions associated with various user functions supportedby the portable device 100 more conveniently and easily.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of executing a fastassociation function of a camera according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, when power is supplied to the portable device 100,the controller 160 resets each of the elements of the portable device100 using the supplied power. After the reset process is terminated, thecontroller 160 outputs a standby screen to the display panel based onpreset schedule information in step 201.

The controller 160 determines whether an input signal for activating thecamera function is generated in step 203. If the generated input signalis not an input signal for activating the camera function, thecontroller 160 performs a user function corresponding to the generatedinput signal in step 205. For example, the controller 160 may supportthe execution of a user function corresponding to the generated inputsignal, such as a file search function, a file transfer function, a callfunction, an Internet function, and a file play function which aresupported by the portable device 100.

If, as a result of the determining in step 203, the input signal foractivating the camera function is generated, the controller 160 maycontrol to activate the camera 170 and to output a screen for operatingthe camera 170 to the display panel. The controller 160 determineswhether an input signal for gathering an image is generated in step 207.If, as a result of the determination, the input signal for gathering animage is not generated, the controller 160 returns to step 203 whilecontinuing to output the screen according to the activation of thecamera 170 or a preview image. If, as a result of the determination atstep 207, an input signal for terminating the function of the camera 170is generated, the controller 160 may return to step 201 of displayingthe standby screen along with terminating the function of the camera170.

If, as a result of the determination, the input signal for gathering animage is generated, the controller 160 resizes the gathering image instep 209. The controller 160 may reduce the size of the gathering imageto a preset size, automatically move the gathering image to a specificposition of the display panel, and/or display the moved image. Thecontroller 160 displays the fast association function menu of the camera170 in the display panel in step 211. The controller 160 may determinewhether a user function is registered as the fast association functionmenu of the camera 170 by searching the memory unit 150 and activate theregistered user function if the registered user function exists. Thecontroller 160 may identify a menu for supporting the user functionregistered as the association function and output the menu to thedisplay panel of the touch screen 140. However, if a user functionregistered as the fast association function of the camera does notexist, the controller 160 may support a common camera function (e.g., afunction of automatically storing a captured image).

When an input signal for selecting the image outputted to the displaypanel of the touch screen 140 and an input signal for selecting aspecific item in the fast association function menu of the camera aregenerated in step 213, the controller 160 executes the fast associationfunction menu item of the camera 170 based on the selected and gatheringimage in response to the relevant input signal in step 215. Thecontroller 160 may operate a variety of user functions in conjunctionwith the gathering image according to the types of previously registereduser functions. For example, if a photo transfer function is previouslyregistered as the association function, the controller 160 may send thegathering image to a specific portable device through the aboveprocesses. If a photo classification function is previously registeredas the association function, the controller 160 may output various typesof folders for storing images to the display panel of the touch screen140 and immediately designate a photo to a specific folder according toa user choice. If a photo display function is previously registered asthe association function, the controller 160 may immediately output thegathering image to the standby screen or replace the gathering imagewith an image of a specific icon.

The controller 160 determines whether an input signal for terminatingthe operation of the camera 170 is generated in step 217. If, as aresult of the determination at step 217, the input signal forterminating the operation of the camera 170 is not generated, thecontroller 160 may return to step 207. If, as a result of thedetermination at step 217, the input signal for terminating theoperation of the camera 170 is generated, the controller 160 may returnto step 201 without performing a termination process.

As described above, in the method of executing the fast associationfunction of the camera according to exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention, the user function of the portable device 100 which may beassociated with an image gathered by the camera 170 can be rapidlyperformed without additional search. Accordingly, the user may operatethe camera 170 more widely using the above method and perform photoclassification and processing tasks more conveniently in the process ofoperating the camera 170.

A screen interface related to the execution of the fast associationfunction of the camera 170, supported by the portable device 100, isdescribed below with reference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary diagram of a screen for illustrating a photoclassification function while a fast association function of a camera isoperated according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, in the photo classification function while the fastassociation function of the camera 170 is operated, when the usergenerates an input signal for activating the camera 170, the controller160 may activate the camera 170, gather a preview image, and output thepreview image to the display panel of the touch screen 140. If the userinputs a command to gather a captured image of a subject, the portabledevice 100 may output the gathering image 141 to the display panel ofthe touch screen 140 as in a screen 301. The portable device 100 mayoutput the gathering image 141 to the entire screen of the display panelof the touch screen 140 for a certain period of time.

The portable device 100 may adjust the size of the gathering image 141,outputted to the display panel of the touch screen 140, to a specificsize as in a screen 303 and display the adjusted gathering image 141 ina specific position of the screen 303. The size of the gathering image141 adjusted by the portable device 100 may be adjusted according to thesize of the fast association function menu of the camera 170, the numberof items of a menu, and the like, which are outputted in a screen 305.The portable device 100 may adjust the size of the gathering image 141outputted to the screen 301 differently and place the gathering image141 in the screen 301 differently according to the type orcharacteristic of a user function registered as the fast associationfunction of the camera 170.

When the resizing and placement of the gathering image 141 in the screen303 are terminated, the portable device 100 may output the fastassociation function menu of the camera 170 to one side of the screen asin a screen 305. The resized gathering image 141 may be placed in theupper center of the screen, and a plurality of folders for supportingthe photo classification function in the fast association function menuof the camera 170, such as “Basic,” “Friend”, “Company”, and “Newfolder” may be displayed on the lower side of the screen 305. The numberof folders and the names of the folders may be changed according to auser characteristic or a change of the setting of the portable device100. In the screen 305, the user may operate a folder creation functionusing the input unit 120 of the portable device 100.

When the user designates the resized gathering image 141 and drags theresized gathering image 141 to a specific folder (e.g., the “Company”folder) as in a screen 307, the gathering image 141 is moved to the“Company” folder, and the photo classification task is terminated.

Although not shown, the portable device 100 may output an icon,corresponding to a return button or a cancel button, on the displaypanel of the touch screen 140 or allocate a return function to aspecific key. If the user wants to cancel the photo classification taskfor the gathering image 141, the user may operate the portable device100 so that it returns to the photographing function of the camera 170by manipulating the icon or the specific key.

Furthermore, the portable device 100 supports a change in the type of auser function registered as the fast association function of the camera170. To this end, the portable device 100 may output a specific key or aspecific icon to one side of a screen. When a user operates the specificicon or the specific key, the portable device 100 may output a list ofother user functions to the display panel of the touch screen 140. Whenthe user selects a user function from the list, the portable device 100may automatically register the selected user function as the fastassociation function when the camera subsequently gathers an image.

As described above, in the photo classification function while the fastassociation function of the camera 170 of the portable device 100according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention isoperated, the user may immediately designate a captured image to adesired folder and store the captured image in the relevant folder. Theportable device 100 may provide the fast association function settingscreen of the camera 170 so that the gathering image 141 can be operatedin conjunction with other user functions. Accordingly, the user mayrapidly search for a specific user function through the fast associationfunction setting screen of the camera, set the specific user function asan association function, and operate a captured gathering image easilyand rapidly on the basis of the association function.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary diagram of a screen for illustrating a phonebookassociation function while a fast association function of a camera isoperated according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.In FIG. 4, it is assumed that the portable device 100 has received aninput signal for gathering a specific image with the camera 170 beingactivated. It is also assumed that the portable device 100 hasregistered an association function with the phonebook function as thefast association function of the camera.

Referring to FIG. 4, the portable device 100 may perform the resizingand placement of a gathering image 141 captured by the camera 170 andthen output a plurality of folders, included in the phonebook, to thedisplay panel of the touch screen 140. In this state, the user mayselect the resized and placed gathering image 141 and drag the resizedand placed gathering image 141 to a specific folder (e.g., a “Company”folder) as in a screen 401.

Accordingly, the portable device 100 may drag the gathering image 141 sothat a phonebook list included in the “Company” folder is outputted asin a screen 403. The portable device 100 may output the gathering image141 to one side of the screen (e.g., on the upper right side). Thegathering image 141 may be placed at a position where a portionoverlapped with the phonebook list is a minimum.

While both the phonebook list and the gathering image 141 are outputted,the user may designate the gathering image 141 and drag the gatheringimage 141 over a specific item so that it overlaps with the specificitem, as in a screen 405. When the drag operation is terminated and aspecific item 143 is selected as the gathering image 141, the portabledevice 100 may apply the gathering image 141 to the specific item 143.For example, the portable device 100 may link the gathering image 141 tothe specific item 143 of the phonebook list as a representative image.Accordingly, when a telephone call is received from the user of aportable device pertinent to the specific item 143 or a telephone callis attempted at a portable device pertinent to the specific item 143,the linked gathering image 141 may be outputted to the display panel ofthe touch screen 140 as a representative image of the specific item 143.If a previously registered representative image exists in the specificitem 143, the portable device 100 may output a message indicating thatthe representative image exists, before the gathering image 141 isupdated into the representative image. Alternatively, the portabledevice 100 may directly register the gathering image 141 as arepresentative image of the specific item 143 without outputting anadditional message.

As described above, in the association function with the phonebookfunction while the fast association function of the camera according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention is operated, a numberof the gathering images 141 may be registered and updated rapidly andconveniently in association with specific items included in thephonebook. The specific items are illustrated as a phonebook listincluded in the phonebook, but exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention are not limited thereto. The gathering image 141 may beassociated with any of various data stored in the memory unit 150.Accordingly, the gathering image 141 may be linked with specific datapertinent to a user function registered as the fast association functionexecution menu of the camera 170.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary diagram of a screen for illustrating an imagedisplay function while a fast association function of a camera isoperated according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the portable device 100 may have captured an imageof a subject with the camera 170 being activated and have outputted thecaptured gathering image 141 to the display panel of the touch screen140. The portable device 100 may output a plurality of folders to oneside of a screen when the photo classification function registered asthe fast association function menu of the camera is executed. Theportable device 100 may output the gathering image 141 to one side of ascreen and also output menu items according to the activation of theuser function registered as the fast association function of the camera170, as in a screen 501.

The user may request the image display function for decorating a screenby outputting the gathering image 141 to a standby screen withoutperforming the photo classification function previously registered. Theuser may generate an input signal for moving the gathering image 141 toa desired position on the screen. The portable device 100 may move thegathering image 141 to the desired position when the input signal isgenerated and display the gathering image 141 as in a screen 503.

The user of the portable device 100 may generate a specific input signalfor outputting the gathering image 141 to the display panel of the touchscreen 140 in association with a specific user function. For example,the user may instruct the portable device 100 to perform a “Today screenimage setting function” for outputting the gathering image 141 to thedisplay panel by operating a hot key 121 provided in the portable device100. In response thereto, the portable device 100 may perform a todayscreen image function for setting the gathering image 141 as a displayimage of a specific screen (e.g., the standby screen) as in the screen503. The today screen image function may correspond to a function foroutputting an image set by a user as the standby screen or at least someimage of the wallpaper of a specific screen selected by a user so thatthe screen can be decorated. Accordingly, a screen 505 may become thestandby screen of the gathering image 141 which is outputted as thewallpaper. The standby screen may include a menu screen for outputtingspecific menu items or widget items on the upper layer of the gatheringimage 141 according to user control or the setting of the portabledevice 100.

The position of the gathering image 141 designated in the screen 503 maybe determined as the position in the image display function screenaccording to the today screen image function. The position of thegathering image 141 designated in the screen 503 may be determined asthe position of the wallpaper in a screen 505. Accordingly, the portabledevice 100 may support a menu scaling function, such as that shown inFIG. 6, so that the position of the gathering image 141 can be easilycontrolled.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary diagram of a screen for illustrating a menuscaling function while a fast association function of a camera isoperated according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the portable device 100 enables the fastassociation function menu 145 of the camera to be removed from the touchscreen 140 when a specific input signal is generated, as in a screen601. When the user generates a specific touch event (e.g., a drag eventacross a diagonal line) on the fast association function menu 145 of thecamera as shown, the portable device 100 may stop displaying the fastassociation function menu 145 of the camera on the touch screen 140 ormay reduce the size of the fast association function menu 145 accordingto the relevant touch event. Accordingly, the user may move thegathering image 141 to a specific position while the fast associationfunction menu 145 of the camera is not displayed on the touch screen 140or is reduced in size.

The portable device 100 may change the position of the fast associationfunction menu 145 of the camera on the touch screen 140, as in a screen603. The user may generate a touch event to designate a specific pointof the fast association function menu 145 of the camera and may move thefast association function menu 145 of the camera to a desired positionthrough a drag with the touch event remained intact. For example, whenthe user drags the fast association function menu 145 of the cameraupwards with the fast association function menu 145 being designated,the fast association function menu 145 of the camera may be moved up inresponse to a drag event and then displayed on the touch screen 140.When the user moves the fast association function menu 145 of the camerato the left, at least part of the fast association function menu 145 ofthe camera may be removed from the screen.

If the fast association function menu 145 of the camera overlaps withthe gathering image 141 in the process of the fast association functionmenu 145 being moved, the portable device 100 may classify the gatheringimage 141 and the fast association function menu 145 of the camera intodifferent layers and display the appropriate upper layer. The portabledevice 100 may display the fast association function menu 145 of thecamera in an active state, which is now selected, and to display thegathering image 141 in an inactive state. If the user generates an inputsignal for selecting the gathering image 141, moves the gathering image141 to any one folder of the fast association function menu 145 of thecamera, and then overlaps the gathering image 141 with the relevantfolder, the portable device 100 may execute the photo classificationfunction described with reference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary diagram of a screen for illustrating an iconassociation function while a fast association function of a camera isoperated according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, the camera 170 is activated in response to an inputsignal generated by a user. When a gathering image 141 is obtained byphotographing a subject using the camera 170, the portable device 100may resize the gathering image 141 and output the resized gatheringimage 141 on one side of a screen as in a screen 701.

When a preset input signal is generated (e.g., a specific touch event isgenerated on the touch screen 140 to which the gathering image 141 isoutputted) with the gathering image 141 being outputted to the touchscreen 140, the portable device 100 may automatically perform the iconassociation function. The icon association function is a function ofreplacing the gathering image 141 with an image of a specific icon. Theportable device 100 may output a screen (e.g., a menu screen), includinga variety of icons, as in a screen 703. The portable device 100 mayresize the gathering image 141 according to the size of the icons andoutput the gathering image 141 to a preset position (e.g., a specificposition where the gathering image 141 and the icons can bedistinguished from each other).

The user may generate an input signal for selecting the gathering image141 and then generate an input signal for selecting a specific icon 147,designating the gathering image 141 as an icon image, as in a screen705. For example, the user may select the gathering image 141 and thengenerate an input signal for dragging the selected gathering image 141to a position where the specific icon 147 is placed and overlapping thegathering image 141 with the position. In response thereto, the portabledevice 100 may change the relevant gathering image 141 into an image ofthe specific icon 147 as in a screen 705.

As described above, the portable device 100 according to exemplaryembodiments of the present invention may activate the icon associationfunction for changing the gathering image 141 into the image of thespecific icon 147 when a preset input signal is generated. The touchevent for the gathering image 141 is described as an example of theinput signal for activating the icon association function is describedas in the screen 701, but exemplary embodiments of the present inventionis not limited thereto. When a specific key input signal or a specifictouch event is generated, the portable device 100 may output the screen703 so that the icon association function is executed.

As described above, the method of executing the fast associationfunction of a camera and the portable device supporting the methodaccording to exemplary embodiments of the present invention enable rapidexecution of a variety of user functions supported by the portabledevice 100 based on an image gathered by the camera 170. Accordingly,convenience when a portable device using a camera is used can beimproved, and more user needs can be satisfied.

The portable device 100 may further include elements not describedabove, such as a local area communication module for local areacommunication, an interface for enabling the portable device 100 to sendand receive data according to a wired communication method or a wirelesscommunication method, an Internet communication module for performing anInternet function over an Internet network, and a digital broadcastingmodule for performing a function of receiving and playing digitalbroadcasting. The elements may not be all enumerated because they aremodified in various ways according to the convergence trend of digitaldevices, but elements equivalent to the above-described elements may befurther added to the terminal. Furthermore, it is to be noted that theportable device 100 may omit some of the elements from the configurationor may replace some of the elements with other elements. This may beeasily understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art.

The portable device 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention may be any type of device supporting a datacommunication function via a base station, and may include a SubscriberIdentity Module (SIM). For example, the portable device 100 may includea mobile communication terminal operated in accordance withcommunication protocols corresponding to various communication systems,information communication devices, and multimedia devices, such as aPortable Multimedia Player (PMP), a digital broadcasting player, aPersonal Digital Assistant (PDA), a music player, a handheld gameterminal, a smart phone, a notebook computer, and a handheld PersonalComputer (PC), and application devices for the information communicationdevices and multimedia devices.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference tocertain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable device supporting an execution of afast association function of a camera, the portable device comprising: acamera configured to capture an image; a display panel; and at least onecomputer processor configured to: activate, when the camera captures theimage, the fast association function of the camera, the fast associationfunction of the camera being a specific user function which is preset tobe automatically activated when the camera captures the image, if thespecific user function is set to a photo classification function:automatically display an interface, including a plurality of folders forclassifying photos, on the display panel when the camera captures theimage, and move the captured image to a specific folder of the pluralityof folders based on the specific user function.
 2. The portable deviceof claim 1, wherein the interface comprises a menu, and wherein thedisplay panel is configured to display the captured image together withthe menu when the camera captures the image.
 3. The portable device ofclaim 2, wherein the at least one computer processor is furtherconfigured to: resize the captured image to a preset size when thecamera captures the image, and display the resized image on the displaypanel together with the menu.
 4. The portable device of claim 2, whereina size and position of the captured image displayed on the displaypanel, are controlled differently according to a size of the menu and anumber of items included in the menu.
 5. The portable device of claim 2,further comprising: a touch screen including an input device forgenerating an input signal to designate the captured image and aspecific item of the menu; or a touch panel disposed over the displaypanel for generating a touch event designating the captured image and aspecific item of the menu.
 6. The portable device of claim 1, furthercomprising: a memory configured to store at least one user functionregistered as the associated function of the camera and the capturedimage.
 7. The portable device of claim 1, wherein the display panel isconfigured to display at least one of: a fast association functionsetting screen of the camera for setting the specific user function sothat the specific user function is operated along with the capturedimage; and a user function list allowing a user to select the specificuser function associated with the camera.
 8. The portable device ofclaim 7, wherein, when the specific user function is selected from theuser function list, the at least one computer processor automatically isconfigured to set the specific user function as the associated functionof the camera.
 9. The portable device of claim 7, wherein at least onefolder of the plurality of folders displayed comprises an icon forfolder creation.
 10. A method of executing a fast association functionof a camera, the method comprising: activating the camera; capturing animage using the camera; activating, when the camera captures the image,the fast association function of the camera, the fast associationfunction of the camera being a specific user function which is preset tobe automatically activated without user's input when the camera capturesthe image; if the specific user function is set to a photoclassification function: automatically displaying an interface,including a plurality of folders for classifying photos, on a displaypanel when the camera captures the image, and moving the captured imageto a specific folder of the plurality of folders based on the specificuser function.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the interfacecomprises a menu, and wherein the menu position on the display panel isconfigurable in response to a user input.
 12. A non-transitory computerprocessor readable storage medium including instructions, executable bya processor, stored thereon to perform a method, the method comprising:activating the camera; capturing an image using the camera; activating,when the camera captures the image, the fast association function of thecamera, the fast association function of the camera being a specificuser function which is preset to be automatically activated withoutuser's input when the camera captures the image; if the specific userfunction is a photo classification function: automatically displaying aninterface, including a plurality of folders for classifying photos, onthe display panel when the camera captures the image, and moving thecaptured image to a specific folder of the plurality of folders when aninput signal for designating the captured image in the specific folderis generated.
 13. The non-transitory computer processor readable storagemedium of claim 12, wherein the interface comprises a menu, and whereinthe method further comprises displaying the captured image along withthe menu.
 14. The non-transitory computer processor readable storagemedium of claim 13, wherein the displaying of the menu comprisesresizing the captured image to a preset size.
 15. The non-transitorycomputer processor readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein thedisplaying of the menu comprises: controlling a size and position of thecaptured image, displayed on the display panel, differently according toa size of the menu and a number of items included in the menu.
 16. Thenon-transitory computer processor readable storage medium of claim 13,the method further comprising: receiving an input signal designating aspecific item to be operated together with the captured image, fromamong a plurality of menu items, if the menu includes the menu items.17. The non-transitory computer processor readable storage medium ofclaim 12, the method further comprising: setting the specific userfunction as the associated function of the camera.
 18. Thenon-transitory computer processor readable storage medium of claim 12,the method further comprising: displaying a user function list includingat least one user function to be operated in conjunction with thecaptured image when the camera captures the image.
 19. Thenon-transitory computer processor readable storage medium of claim 18,the method further comprising: automatically setting the specific userfunction as the associated function of the camera, when the specificuser function is selected from the user function list.
 20. Thenon-transitory computer processor readable storage medium of claim 12,the method further comprising: receiving an indication of a change ofthe specific user function; if the specific user function is a phonebookassociation function, automatically displaying a menu, including atleast one folder included in a phonebook, when the camera captures theimage, displaying phonebook items, included in a specific folder, on thedisplay panel along with the captured image when an input signal fordesignating the captured image in the specific folder is generated, anddesignating the captured image as a representative image of a specificphonebook item when an input signal for designating the captured imageas the specific phonebook item is generated; if the specific userfunction is a captured image display function, resizing the capturedimage to a preset size, displaying the resized image in a screen, andoutputting the resized image as a wallpaper of a specific screen when aspecific input signal is generated; and if the specific user function isan icon association function, resizing the image to a preset size when aspecific input signal is generated after the camera captures the imageand simultaneously displaying a screen including at least one icon onthe display panel, and setting the resized image as an image of arelevant icon when an input signal for designating the resized image ina specific icon is generated.